So-called cultivation was not just refining qi, comprehending the Dao, and cultivating truth.
Governing a country is also cultivation.
At least for [Heavenly Fire], handling ten thousand affairs a day, harmonizing yin and yang, and carrying the myriad regions of the nine provinces on one's shoulders was actually a method of cultivation.
Tianwu Hall, on the vermilion steps.
Lu Yang slowly stretched out his hands. Blessed by the [Immortal Kingdom Dao Laws], Jiangdong, Jiangbei, Jiangxi, and even overseas were now woven into this large net.
There had never been a moment when Lu Yang's perception was so clear—
"The Dao Court is the extension of my hands."
And outside the [Immortal Kingdom Dao Laws], the only unaffected Jiangnan had also been secretly infiltrated by the [Garden of Eternal Joy] left by Patriarch Nether Whisper.
So one month later, the new law was promulgated.
The content spread directly throughout the world through the [Immortal Kingdom Dao Laws], instantly causing a huge uproar, simply because no one expected Lu Yang to actually be serious!
But thinking carefully, it didn't seem that hard to accept. After all, Lu Yang even cut off the Buddhist cultivator Dao lineage; what else in this world did he dare not do?
Moreover, he suppressed the Pure Land, and the World Honored One didn't even personally enter the stage, seemingly acquiescing to this matter, which further highlighting the immense power of this demonic dragon.
To put it bluntly, they couldn't afford to offend.
Under such a general trend, centered on Jiangdong, through the [Immortal Kingdom Dao Laws], the new law quickly pushed to the world. Everywhere it passed, storms rose abruptly.
As for the content of the new law, it was actually very simple—
Immortal and mortal separated. Common people lived below, setting up academies so everyone could cultivate the Dao and seek immortality; cultivators lived above, using resources provided by common people to cultivate.
Like a pyramid.
Mortals were like ants, fed with grains, cattle, sheep, and houses that cultivators looked down upon, and given an upward path called "cultivation."
Above that were Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, and further subdivisions based on realms.
This process of exploitation continues layer by layer, with those at the bottom supporting those at the top, and ultimately everyone supporting the one at the very top—
"That is me!"
Although there were many details in the new law, the underlying logic was only one:
"Under my rule, all living beings are equal, and talent is the only criterion for promotion. Whether they are mortal, Qi Refining, or Foundation Establishment, all are potential talents under my command!"
To this, most people's evaluation was also very consistent:
"What Dao Court Emperor Huan Ming... this dragon is absolutely a Saint Sect spy!"
Of course, similar rumors were naturally handled by loyal ministers of the Imperial City Division. Master Lu, being easily offended, couldn't bear the insults of these people.
Lu Yang wasn't concerned about the uproar caused by the new law.
After all, right now the Dao Court, Saint Sect, and overseas were joining hands. Under the general trend, who could stop it? If one had to say, then only the Sword Pavilion in Jiangnan.
But the problem was, according to Lu Yang's new law, commoners could get the protection of the [Immortal Kingdom Dao Laws]. After all, commoners actually had no fat to squeeze. Therefore, those exploited most by the new law were still cultivators, and the higher the realm, the more ruthless the exploitation. Dao comprehesion, spiritual materials, cultivation methods—nothing was excluded.
Although some resisted, they were all suppressed by Lu Yang.
"What a joke! Looking across the world, who is more lenient towards these cultivators than me? Without my mercy, where would all these cultivators come from?"
Therefore, the result was self-evident.
Perfected One Vanquishing-Demon rejected all dissenting opinions, having absolutely no intention of interfering. He even asked Lu Yang privately if the new law could also be implemented in Jiangnan.
Time flew; in the blink of an eye, it was ten years.
Ten springs and autumns seemed long, but recalling afterwards, it was just a flick of a finger. However, huge changes appeared in the entire five regions under heaven.
Tianwu City.
Now this Jiangdong capital had officially been renamed "Huan Ming City." Inside the city, a high tower connecting heaven and earth sat in the center of the imperial palace.
Its name was [Star Plucking Tower].
As the name suggested, this high tower was essentially a spirit treasure. From bottom to top, every floor was inscribed with countless formations. The weakest inscriber was at the early stage of Foundation Establishment. These formations combined and piled up, finally forming a grand formation at the top of the [Star Plucking Tower].
[Ascension to Immortality Formation]!
The formation ranked at the fourth grade. Blessed by the [Immortal Kingdom Dao Laws], it was comparable to the third grade. It was a secret formation of the Tianwu Imperial Family, specially prepared for the Crown Prince for seeking the Golden Core.
Being in the formation, ascending the Blessed Land could save thirty percent of spiritual power.
Besides this, with the assistance of the formation, cultivators could sense the location of the Dao Fruit more clearly. This formation alone added at least ten percent chance of success.
Moreover, this celestial formation had another wonder.
That was, the rarer the materials used and the more formation patterns inscribed, the stronger the effect of the celestial formation assisting in seeking the Golden Core, able to increase the success chance by a full thirty percent.
The successive crown princes of the Dao Court were able to smoothly ascend the throne was thanks to this formation.
However, because this celestial formation was extremely expensive, even the crown prince could only use the most basic array configuration to assist in seeking the Golden Core.
But to Lu Yang, it was different. After all, he had cultivators of the five regions under heaven providing for him. Spiritual materials and formation patterns were not lacking, so he directly pulled the formation to the top configuration.
He even specially spent huge sums to build a [Star Plucking Tower] to suppress the formation eye, simultaneously further enhancing the formation's power.
At this moment, atop the [Star Plucking Tower].
Set up at the top of the [Star Plucking Tower] was an open-air high platform. Lu Yang stood in the center of the high platform, quietly exhaling and inhaling spiritual qi.
Whoosh whoosh!
This place pierced straight into the clouds, supposed to be a place where wind rolled the sea of clouds. But when the fierce gale landed on this tower top, it fell into silence like a subject meeting the king.
where exactly is still lacking?
Lu Yang asked himself.
Ten years of accumulation, he asked himself if he had done everything to the extreme in all aspects.
Golden Nature was already complete, [Xuandu Blessed Land] was thoroughly smelted into one with his Dao Foundation, and the five regions under heaven were basically covered by the new law he implemented.
However, even so, his spiritual perception was still warning him, and the [Immortal Kingdom Dao Laws] were also reminding him, telling him he seemed to still lack the final step.
If this final step wasn't taken, seeking the Golden Core would still have variables.
Thinking of this, Lu Yang's frown deepened. He had offended the World Honored One ruthlessly now. If there were really variables, the World Honored One wouldn't let him go.
Just then, a streak of light descended.
Suddenly separating, it revealed Chong Guang's face. Those eyes containing soaring sharpness fell on Lu Yang, who stood with hands behind his back.
Very strong... extremely strong!
Chong Guang frowned slightly. Over ten years, he witnessed Lu Yang's cultivation base changes with his own eyes. Back then, he could still detect Lu Yang's cultivation base and Dao comprehesion, able to calculate his many means, thinking although not an opponent, he at least had the power to fight. But now, looking at Lu Yang again.
At a glance, he seemed like an ordinary person.
Closing his eyes, divine sense also perceived nothing, only a patch of "emptiness."
This indescribable state, besides the current Lu Yang, he had only seen on one person in the world today—Perfected One Vanquishing-Demon, Ye Guangji.
Last stage of Foundation Establishment, returning to original simplicity!?
Chong Guang's pupils shrank abruptly, knowing this was a very subtle state. People who could reach it were either uniquely favored by a Dao Fruit or had other fortuitous encounters.
However, no matter which kind, once reached, the stature would be half a head higher among Foundation Establishment Perfected Ones.
But besides Perfected One Vanquishing-Demon, only Perfected Lord Qingcheng Feixue had reached it back then. Unexpectedly, Lu Yang also reached this realm, becoming the third person!
After a moment of silence, Chong Guang cupped his hands in greeting: "Congratulations, Fellow Daoist, on the great progress in cultivation."
Lu Yang shook his head upon hearing this, back facing Chong Guang, saying leisurely:
"You flatter me. Without Golden Core, one is ultimately just an ant."
Chong Guang's gaze moved slightly: "In that case, when does Fellow Daoist plan to seek the Golden Core? Ten years of accumulation, Fellow Daoist should have solved many hidden dangers of cultivation."
Lu Yang smiled:
"Look, you're rushing again."
He naturally understood Chong Guang's meaning. Chong Guang asking him about seeking the Golden Core was fake; what he really wanted to ask was when he would reverse the Chen Earth, allowing him to Seek the Golden Core.
With Martial Uncle Chong Guang's personality, I'm afraid he has already prepared for me to go back on my word.
However, he didn't intend to break his promise.
With this thought, Lu Yang finally turned around, revealing a pair of pupils reflecting brilliance. If looking closely, one seemed able to see the light and shadow of the sun and moon within!
"There is no time like present."
"Today, I will reverse the Chen Earth for Fellow Daoist Chong Guang."
As soon as these words came out, Chong Guang's expression changed instantly. What was revealed wasn't excitement, but suspicion: You demon dragon, are you really so kind to help me?
There won't be a trap, right?